It was a bright, hot morning. Radha knew that Billi, the small grey kitten that lived amongst the tangled roots of the peepul tree that grew outside her window, would be very thirsty. She put out a bowl of cool, fresh water for the kitten. Billi peered out from amongst the roots of the peepul tree and miaowed happily to see Radha. She ran up to the little bowl, and lapped up the water quickly. She really had been very thirsty.

A big black crow sat high up in the branches of the peepul tree. He was watching the little kitten. ‘Kaa! Kaa!’ said the crow loudly. With a flap and a rush of his big black wings, the crow flew down next to Billi.

‘Miaow!’ said Billi, who didn’t like crows at all.

‘Kaa! Kaa!’ yelled the crow, rushing at Billi with his black wings flapping, his sharp beak pecking, his large claws scratching.

‘Miaow!’ cried Billi, running away to hide behind the peepul tree.

‘Shoo! Crow! Go away!’ cried Radha running out.

‘Kaa! Kaa!’ shouted the crow, flapping his big black wings.

‘Mummy!’ cried Radha, running back inside the house.

‘It’s only a crow, Radha,’ said Mummy. ‘He’s probably hungry! Let’s give him something to eat!’

Mummy took some roti from the kitchen. She broke off bits of the roti and threw it on to the grass. The crow hopped over and pecked at it. Soon he had gobbled up all the bits.

‘Can I feed him too?’ asked Radha. She threw some more bits of roti for the crow.

The crow was quickly joined by other birds. The sparrows came down from the peepul tree and the fat grey pigeons flapped down from the roof, and all of them pecked busily at the pieces of roti.

‘Kaa!’ said the crow, his tummy full, and off he flew, back to his perch on the peepul tree.

‘You’re welcome, Crow!’ said Radha.

‘Chirt, Chir, Chitter!’ chirped the sparrows, and off they flew in a rustle and a hurry.

‘You’re welcome, Sparrows!’ said Radha.

‘Gutergoo!’ cooed the pigeons and off they flapped in a flurry of blue-grey wings.

‘You’re welcome, Pigeons!’ said Radha.

Billi came out from behind the peepul tree. She finished off the dish of rice that Mummy had put out for her. ‘Miaow!’ said Billi, and sat down to wash her face.

‘You’re welcome, Billi!’ said Radha, and ran off to eat some breakfast.

‘Miaow!’ said Radha, finishing off HER bowl of porridge.

‘You’re welcome, Radha!’ said Mummy, laughing.